Is transitioning from college to the pro game easier or harder now versus 12 years ago?

Vikings safety Harrison Smith isn't sure. But everything is different. Especially external factors.

"I didn't even have a Twitter when I came into the league," Smith said Monday on the Green Light Podcast with Chris Long, the retired NFL defensive end. "The only reason I made one was because somebody made a fake one. … That tends to dominate things a little more and can get into guys' heads."

Smith's advice? "Don't look at that stuff," he said.

The six-time Pro Bowl safety joined Long and retired NFL defensive tackle and Minnesota native Beau Allen in TCO Studios to dish on the upcoming season.

Early in the recording, Smith commented on the good-performing Vikings rookies, dealing with the tragic passing of cornerback Khyree Jackson and how Head Coach Kevin O'Connell's culture hinges on a blend of competition and care for each other. Smith noted it's not as adversarial as the old regime, but was quick to add, "I'm not knocking that, either." Both have fit his demeanor as a smart, physical playmaker.

Smith said the arrival of Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores has been awesome. Smith used the words "exotic" and "liberating" to describe Flores' scheme, which features so many calls but is based on logic.

"He's not a rah-rah guy but he's an intense guy without having to do that, which I think is a sweet spot that's hard to find," Smith said of Flores, who stopped by to visit the podcast hosts (Long and Flores won a Super Bowl together in 2016) when they were interviewing Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips.

"He looks jacked," Long laughed. "His pecs look incredible."

The conversation amongst defenders was laid back and loaded with tidbits on current and former Vikings players, including unlocking Joshua Metellus' versatility, adding a receiving threat to the backfield by signing Aaron Jones, Sr., and the lab-built athleticism of Texans pass-rusher Danielle Hunter, who teamed with Smith from 2015-23.

Smith, who is entering his 13th season on the Vikings, then reflected on some of his favorite moments.

He nodded to the greatest comeback in NFL history against Indianapolis, the win at Buffalo just weeks earlier that season – you know, the game featuring Justin Jefferson's iconic one-handed grab on fourth down and Josh Allen's muffed snap at the goal line on a quarterback sneak – and, of course, one other.

Smith said the "Minneapolis Miracle" will always rank up there.

"Unfortunately, we got smacked by ya'll the next week," Smith added very matter-of-factly. "That game made me realize the realness of home-field advantage in the playoffs. … You could feel the juice."

Allen and Long, teammates on the Eagles at the time, recalled some of that game's exchanges.

"The Philly fans were not happy about the SKOL [Chant] in front of the Rocky statue," Allen remarked.

Later in the interview, Smith revealed the players in his career that he's respected for their fearlessness running routes over the middle of the field: Julio Jones, Percy Harvin, Pierre Garçon and Mohamed Sanu.

"Strictly dogs," Long exclaimed.

Finally, Allen, who attended Minnetonka High School, lobbed what Smith labeled a "softball."

Allen wondered, "What is it that you love about Minnesota that's kept you here for 13 years?

"I'm just trying to gas up the great state of Minnesota for all the viewers at home," Allen said in defense when Smith and Long broke out with big laughs, poking fun at his rudimentary line of questioning.

The full interview, below, is worth the time in our opinion. Beware, though, of minor cursing.

ESPN assesses impact of rule changes

All teams have had at least two preseason games to try out the new kickoff rule and evaluate the impact of other rule changes.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert took a look at how changes implemented in March have affected exhibition plays this August.

Despite some game-by-game variance, the overall trend this summer has been clear. After NFL teams combined to return 22% of kickoffs and allow 73% to end in touchbacks in the 2023 regular season, here's what has happened leaguewide in the 2024 preseason:

• 78% of kickoffs have been returned
• 19% of kickoffs have ended in touchbacks.

Keep in mind that kickoffs were typically returned at higher rates in the preseason than during the regular season under the old rule. But even so, this summer's return rate is up notably from 63% at this point in 2023.

The average return has gone for 25 yards, leading to an average drive start following kickoffs at the 28.3-yard line. For context, in the first two weeks of the 2023 preseason, the average drive start following kickoffs was the 23.9-yard line.

Last Saturday in Minnesota's game at Cleveland, six of the 10 kickoffs resulted in touchbacks, which now places the ball at the 30-yard line.

There's a sentiment that coaches might opt for the automatic touchback and placement at the 30 if it only means a 1.7-yard difference to the start of the opponent's drive because a touchback removes the threat of a longer return.

Seifert also examined the NFL's ban of the hip-drop tackle, which has not come into play this preseason, as well as implementation of new helmet models.

Click here for the full report.